Chapter 9: Upside Down

Mr. Huo followed the butler upstairs.

The first floor living room suddenly fell into a long silence, so quiet that Lin Xueqing could even hear her heart pounding erratically.

Mid-July, the heat was at its peak.

But the Huo residence had central air conditioning running all day, tirelessly pumping cold air into every corner of the villa.

Despite this, Lin Xueqing broke out in a sweat.

Large beads of sweat covered her entire face, even her temple hair was soaked.

Mrs. Huo, noticing this, feigned concern. "Are you hot?"

Lin Xueqing lifted her head slightly in panic, a large drop of sweat instantly rolling into her eye, burning fiercely, reddening the area around her eyes.

Yet she pretended to be calm. "N-no... with such a comfortable temperature, how could I be hot? Hahaha..."

Mrs. Huo smiled without a word.

No one joined in her awkward laughter, which stopped after just a few seconds.

The living room fell silent again.

Waiting for judgment during this protracted time felt like torture, making Lin Xueqing feel as if she were sitting on pins and needles.

Ye Leyao observed the subtle changes in Lin Xueqing's expressions, not forgetting to comment mentally:

"Second Aunt's profuse sweating doesn't seem fake."

Mrs. Huo glanced at Lin Xueqing discreetly wiping her sweat, sneering inwardly.

Lin Xueqing was getting what she deserved!

Although the Chen family had fallen from grace, their assets had shrunk, but at least the company was still operating normally, with an annual turnover of about five million yuan. Plus, Lin Xueqing came to the Huo family once a month, and Mrs.Huo often subsidized her; she wasn't short of money!

But Lin Xueqing was still unsatisfied, setting her sights on her jewelry.

She should pray now that the engagement ring hadn't been resold by her yet, otherwise—

It wouldn't just be a matter of kicking her out.

It seemed like an eternity had passed before Mr. Huo and the butler finally descended the stairs.

Ye Leyao instantly perked up, her eyes sparkling. "They're here!"

In Mr. Huo's hand was a tablet, which he handed to Mrs. Huo, whispering softly in her ear, "Not there."

Only Mr. Huo, besides Mrs. Huo, knew where Mrs. Huo kept her wedding ring in the jewelry box.

After saying this, Mr.Huo glanced at Ye Leyao.

Ye Leyao had done it again.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Huo's eyes could have spewed fire. She opened the video, watching only a few seconds before slamming the tablet down in front of Lin Xueqing, her tone icy. "Explain yourself."

What was coming had arrived. Has she really been found out?

Lin Xueqing closed her eyes, and for some reason, her anxious heart suddenly calmed down at this moment, her neck stiffening with a defiant calmness akin to a dead pig not fearing boiling water.

Opening her eyes, Lin Xueqing saw the tablet in front of her, and upon looking, she was instantly stunned.

The video on the tablet was replaying . The video was short, only a dozen seconds, two clips spliced together, mainly capturing Lin Xueqing sneaking into Mrs. Huo's dressing room and then takes a long time to come out.

Seeing this, the tension in Lin Xueqing's taut nerves suddenly relaxed for a moment.

She stared intently at the video, watching it twice more, her demeanor becoming increasingly relaxed. Leaning back on the sofa, she even changed into a more relaxed position.

"What does Cousin want me to explain?" Lin Xueqing casually wiped away the fine sweat on her forehead, her tone relaxed, a hint of a smile even playing on her lips.

Her change of expression was too fast, leaving Mrs.Huo momentarily stunned.

With the surveillance video pulled up, what was Lin Xueqing's reaction?

Ye Leyao widened her eyes:

"Is Second Aunt trying to deny it?"

Looking at the surveillance video still looping on the tablet, Ye Leyao understood.

"It only captured the Second Aunt entering the dressing room, not inside, so Second Aunt feels emboldened without concrete evidence?"

Mrs. Huo's face darkened.

Mr. Huo furrowed his brows.

Ye Leyao was right again.

That's exactly what Lin Xueqing was thinking.

The reason she dared to sneakily take Mrs.Huo's jewelry was precisely because she noticed that there was only one surveillance camera outside Mrs.Huo's dressing room.

Caught off guard just now, she panicked too much, pushing such an important detail to the back of her mind. Now, with her rationality returning, Lin Xueqing gradually gained confidence.

The surveillance did capture her entering the dressing room, but so what?

Every time she entered Mrs.Huo's dressing room, she was extra careful. Apart from capturing her entering and exiting, the surveillance camera couldn't see anything else!

Without footage, there's no evidence; without evidence that she stole something, it's defamation!

Lin Xueqing completely relaxed, thinking of the dazzling array of jewelry in Madam Huo's wardrobe, she only regretted not taking more earlier. Suppressing her jealousy, she flashed a faint smile: "I just went in for a look, isn't your reaction a bit excessive, Cousin?"

After saying this, she glanced at Father Huo beside her.

Madam Huo was truly fortunate; when young, Father Huo was handsome, and even now, he lacked the greasy appearance common to middle-aged men. Unlike her own husband, who was pot-bellied, making her feel nauseous every time she saw him.

A fleeting look of dissatisfaction crossed Lin Xueqing's eyes as she plastered on what she considered a gentle smile, flicking her hair over her shoulder, pouting: "Brother-in-law, look at my sister. I merely took a stroll through her wardrobe, and my cousin is already upset, going so far as to review the surveillance footage. Isn't that a bit too much?"

Ye Leyao's eyes widened in shock:

"Second Aunt...is she flirting with Father Huo?"

Father Huo's eyelids twitched violently. Before Madam Huo could speak, he sternly commanded: "Speak properly!"

The harsh reprimand startled Lin Xueqing, and she immediately displayed a look of grievance: "Brother-in-law, why are you being so fierce..."

Ye Leyao felt goosebumps rise all over her body, unable to resist rubbing her arms.

"No way, Second Aunt...is she possessed by a ghost?"

"Why has her speech suddenly become so repulsive?"

If there were a like button, Father Huo would have given Ye Leyao a massive thumbs up!

Madam Huo was amused by her anger. The matter of the stolen jewelry wasn't resolved yet, and Lin Xueqing had the audacity to flirt with her husband. Did she think Madam Huo was blind?

Madam Huo's face darkened. "Lin Xueqing! I'll ask you once, did you really not take my engagement ring?"

Lin Xueqing's expression shifted slightly upon hearing the words "engagement ring."

The random ring she took was actually Madam Huo's engagement ring?

No wonder she reacted so strongly.

Lin Xueqing panicked briefly before quickly regaining her composure, calmly responding: "No."

Then, she feigned a frustrated and aggrieved expression: "I was just envious of your collection of precious jewels and trinkets, Cousin, which is why I wanted to take a peek. I don't even know what your wedding ring looks like; why would I steal your wedding ring?"

She paused before continuing: "Besides, Cousin, you have so many pieces of jewelry. It could be that you carelessly left the ring somewhere during one of your outings. How can you blame me for that?"

Lin Xueqing grew up alongside Madam Huo and knew about her forgetful habits.

Madam Huo understood that Lin Xueqing had no intention of admitting anything.

Lin Xueqing stood up, picking up her bag. "Forget it, since you won't believe me no matter how much I explain. Why don't you search me?"

Staring at the bag offered to them, both Madam Huo and Father Huo were taken aback.

Lin Xueqing must have been certain they wouldn't find anything if she dared to hand over her bag.

Indeed, Ye Leyao was whispering softly:

"The ring shouldn't be in the Second Aunt's bag; she's very cautious."

Seeing that neither Father Huo nor Madam Huo reached for the bag, Lin Xueqing raised an eyebrow slightly. "It seems my cousin still trusts me?"

Lin Xueqing slowly withdrew her hand. "In that case, I'll be leaving then? I do care about my reputation, hoping I won't hear any rumors later, lest it affects our relationship."

"Right?" Lin Xueqing smiled smugly.

Madam Huo's hand clenched at her side as she stared into her eyes. "If it's not in your bag, then it's on your person!"

Lin Xueqing's eyes widened in surprise, and after a moment, she scoffed. "Cousin, are you suggesting a personal search?"

"If you didn't take it," Madam Huo said, "you surely wouldn't fear a search, would you?"

Lin Xueqing crossed her arms. "And if nothing is found?"

Madam Huo fell silent.

Ye Leyao muttered to herself:

"That's strange, how can Second Aunt be so confident?"

"I remember correctly; according to other plot developments, Second Aunt should have stolen Madam Huo's wedding ring around this time and sold it."

"But why is she so fearless?"

"Could it be that I've forgotten some crucial plot point?"

Ye Leyao opened her notes, flipping through them while rapidly recalling the storyline in her mind.

Father Huo and Madam Huo's hearts also rose in anticipation.

Forgotten some crucial plot point ?

Quickly remember!

Lin Xueqing waited a long time for Madam Huo to speak. Confident that Madam Huo wouldn't dare search her, her smugness grew.

Initially, she planned to leave directly, but now she didn't intend to go anywhere.

Father Huo and Madam Huo couldn't produce any evidence, causing her unnecessary worry. She wouldn't leave without compensation.

Lin Xueqing sat down on the sofa again, laughing lightly. "It seems my cousin isn't quite sure, huh? But I, well, I have a temper too, as you know..."

"Found it!!!"

Ye Le Yao shouted loudly.

Mother Huo closed her eyes in pain.

Father Huo rubbed his nearly shattered eardrums.

It was timely, yes, but it was really hard on the ears!

"I see why Aunt Two was so fearless! She had planned this from the beginning!"

"This method... hmm... Aunt Two is truly ruthless to herself! No wonder she's never been found out!"

Mother Huo: "…"

So where did she hide it?

Can you stop keeping us in suspense?

Lin Xueqing: "I'm not asking for much, just a little compensation for my troubles, one million!"

"Not drinking water and swallowing the ring... and then... hmm hmm..."

"This is really hard to judge."

"Really won't choke on it?!"

"It seems Aunt Two has already swallowed the ring, what about Mother Huo's ring? But if Aunt Two only swallowed the ring recently, the ring should still be in her stomach, right?"

"It shouldn't have reached the intestines that quickly... right?"

Mother Huo was first shocked, then shocked again, finally turning dark with anger.

Lin Xueqing actually!

She dared to!

How dare she!!

Seeing how quickly their expressions changed, Lin Xueqing sneered coldly. She only asked for one million, and they thought it was too much?

"Cousin, if you're unwilling to pay this money, I can take legal action..."

"Call the police." Mother Huo suddenly spoke up.

Lin Xueqing froze, the smugness on her face disappeared, she looked at Mother Huo in disbelief: "Cousin, what are you saying..."

"Theft, extortion," the veins on Mother Huo's forehead pulsed wildly, "Whichever charge, you'll be inside for a long time, won't you?"

She originally only wanted to get the wedding ring back and not pursue it further.

But Lin Xueqing was simply too excessive!!

Calling the police now...

Should still be able to retrieve the ring from the stomach, right?

"When did I steal anything?!" Lin Xueqing said angrily.

Mother Huo glanced at her abdomen and sneered: "Don't you know whether you stole or not?!"

Following her gaze, Lin Xueqing saw her own abdomen, her expression suddenly changed, and she instantly felt a bit guilty.

Could it be that she was discovered to have swallowed the ring?

Seeing Father Huo pick up his phone, Lin Xueqing realized they weren't joking. She hurriedly said: "If you don't give it, then don't give it! I don't want it anymore, why call the police?"

She stood up in panic, picked up her bag, and walked out.

Walking too hastily, her high heels slipped on the floor, and she fell flat on her back.

Ye Leyao opened her mouth wide.

"Sea... Sea Bull?"

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